POVERTY BAY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 378, 21 May 1866, Page 3

POVERTY BAY.

lir the last issue of the ‘ Times,’ 'lre intimated the arrival at Poverty Bay of a party of Volunteers and Military Settlers, under Major Fraser, overland from Wairoa ; and we now,- accordin'* to promise, proceed to give a.few details—whidv though necessarily imperfect, may be relied upon —regarding the rather fatiguing journey of those men:—

They (a force of thirty-five Hawke’s Bay Volunteers and Millitary ’Settlers, under Major Fraser, and accompanied by Captain Biggs, Dr Ormond, and Mr Gr. B. Worgan, jun., who' was deputed guide) left Wairoa on the evening of Wednesday, 25th April ; and the mounted portion—numbering in all about twenty, the rest being on foot —reached a place called Opowiti (about twenty miles) the same night. The foot party joined Major Fraser (who was with the mounted men) next day—having passed the night at the church at To Taua. On Major Fraser’s arrival at Opiwiti, he found that the friendly chief Ihaka Waanga had a few days before made a very clever capture of about fifty well-armed Hau-haus, among whom was the celebrated prophet, Hama, who, we may state was one of those who escaped from the Waeraugihika pah last November, .and who has since been wandering about the country, sowing the seeds of disaffection broadcast among those who seemed to waver in their allegiance to the cause of Hau-hauism. His capture, therefore, is a source of gratification. On Thursday, a party of five natives went up to a Maori plantation about ten miles from Opiwiti, caUed Te Renei; and while absent captured about thirty Hau-hausj who had been proceeding up the river iu their canoes, which were laden with provisions. They returned to Opiwiti the same night, bringing the prisoners in with them. On Friday, the troops being short of food, Major Fraser sent out several parties to see if they could get any. One party, who had gone in the direction of Te Renei, returned the same n'ight with a number of pms, half a bullock, and other provisions—likewise five prisoners. The other parties were also successful in bringing in some potatoes, &c. Same day (b’riday) a Hau-hau and two friendly natives were sent out into the bush to ask the Hau-haus, who were known to be in force there, to come in peaceably and give up their arms; at the same time to intimate to them that, if they refused to surrender, they would have to put up with the consequences. Whether the threat had any effect in frghtening the rebels is not known : suffice it to say that the “ambassadors” returned to Marumaru the same night, bringing with them a force of 100 rebels—men, w omen, and children ; and were joined next day by all the friendly natives, under Kopu, Paora Apatu, and Ihaka Waauga ; together with the prisoners which had been previously taken. On Saturday, 28th April, a grand war dance took place, to celebrate the capture of the prisoncts—lhaka Waauga’s followers eclipsing the others iu their warlike appearance and iu the dexterity of their movements. The next day being Sunday, was passed in rest, as it should be. Provisions having come up on that day, the European force affected a start at 8 a.m. on Monday for Turauganui; reached Te Renei the same afternoon, and remained there ail night. Parties of men were sent out to look for provisions, but were unsuccessful. Nest morning —the force having started on their journey at 8 a.m.—some discussion arose as to which was the proper course to pursue. However, the road pointed out by Mr Worgan, jun., (who was guide) was taken. It was under a range of lulls, on the bank of the Wairoa river, and proved to bo very rouglf. After proceeding about five miles, they came across the tracks of two men and a largo dog; also saw a place where some person or per--1 sons had evidently slept the night before. Ten more miles were traversed without interruption—the road, however, being excessively difficult. About 3 p.m., while the party were on the top of a high range, a very heavy gale of wind from the S.W. came on, accompanied with heavy rain, which latter continued without intermission till 10 p.m. As there was no firewood near the place at which the force were when the rain commenced, Major Fraser decided on pushing forward till- he came to where there was some. Owing to the road being so slippery, consequent on the rain, the pack-horses with the provisions came on very slowly, seeing which Major Fraser decided on going on without them, leaving six men as a guard, and ordering them to travel on till they came to a place where there was some bush, and proceeded to make a fire, but owing to the wood being so saturated with water, about two hours elapsed before they could get one kindled. -The men having had nothing to eat all day, and the pack-horses not having arrived they threw themselves down on their wet blankets to “ sleep—perchance to dream”—(of Hau-haus or kaikai ?) Sleep, however, they could not, owing partly to their stomachs being empty, and partly to the intense cold. On Wednesday, all rose cold and hungry—with no food and no chances of any; and many a wistful glance was given at a nice fat colt, belonging to one of the party. Every man now put his best foot foremost, in order to reach some place* where they could get something to eat, for the cravings of hunger were now becoming unbearable. After proceeding about six miles, the men all halted and came to the unanimous conclusion that the colt must die. No sootier said than done —a shot from an Enfield rifle soon laying the poor colt on his “ beam ends.” Life was barely extinct from the poor animal era pieces were grilling on a famous fire which had been prepared by some of the party —so eager did hunger make the poor fellows. In a few minutes little was left of the unfortunate colt; and the “meal” being concluded, the whole party proceeded on their march in renovated spirits; and about 1 p.m. reached the top of a high range, irom which point was plainly visible the splendid bay of Turanga. About half-past two, the force arrived at the camp of their gallant “ companions in arms,” the Forest Rangers—the latter parly greeting their arrival with three genuine British cheers. But however much Major Fraser’s party relished the reception they met with when they first hailed in view, they, no doubt, felt much more grateful for the hearty cheer and comfortable beds which

were provided for them inside the camp. After having passed a tolerably comfortable night, the men ’started tor Turanganui, about nine miles, and on the evening of Thursday, 3rd May, they had the satisfaction of reaching in safety the redoubt erected at that place, and named after the gallant Lieut. Wilson.—We may here state that Capt. Biggs, who left Wairoa with Major Fraser’s party, took suddenly ill. shortly after the commencement of the March, and retraced his stems to Wairoa.—As for the men with the packhorses, they, shortly after Major Fraser left them, somehow or other lost the proper track, and were unable to find it, or, in fact, any other ; so they decided on returning to Wairoa, which they accordingly did—reaching that township in safety.